Traditionally the Major League Baseball general managers’ meetings have lacked anything bold or interesting, saving all that pizzazz for December’s winter meetings.

Maybe’s it’s the proximity to the end of the season, which doesn’t lend itself to enough negotiating time to pull off a big trade or significant free-agent signings. But what these meetings, which begin Wednesday in Indian Wells, Calif., do provide is an opportunity for all 30 GMs and their associates to be in the same place as their peers and player agents so that some groundwork can be laid for later in the winter.

The free-agent market this offseason features plenty of unknowns and cloudiness, but we do know what certain teams need and, for the most part, what teams can actually afford to be a player in this game. Predicting free agency is usually a futile endeavor for the most part, but as of now we can nail down some possible suitors for the most coveted players on the market.

Zack Greinke, SP, 29 years old (as of opening day 2013)

Greinke can look like a true ace at times, but there are others when he looks pedestrian. That keeps him from being tagged with that “ace” label, however, because he hits free agency when teams have cash to dole out and in a year that seriously lacks front-line arms, Greinke will still be paid like a real ace.

Because the next-best starting pitcher on the market might be Anibal Sanchez in the long-term and Hiroki Kuroda in the short-term, Greinke’s price could get up into the $150 million range. That is a possibility even with some major-market teams concerned about his past depression and social anxiety issues along with him quitting on the Kansas City Royals in 2010.

While the concerns are real, it won’t stop teams from making offers, whether they play in New York or the softer media market in Southern California.

Possible destinations: The Los Angeles Angels want him back because they gave up a lot for him at the July trade deadline and have already shed two of their starters from last season. The Milwaukee Brewers want him because they gave up real major league talent for him in December of 2010. The Los Angeles Dodgers will be in on just about everyone, especially starting pitchers. The Texas Rangers need pitching and want to keep him away from the Angels. The Toronto Blue Jays are determined not to be shutout of the free-agent market for the second year in a row and want a No. 1 starter. The Seattle Mariners could be a surprise bidder. Finally, the Yankees might want to trim payroll, but that won’t stop them from looking under the hood.

Josh Hamilton, OF, 31

The rumor is Hamilton wants $175 million over seven years. Good luck with that.

Hamilton could get the $25 million a year he seeks, but it won’t be over seven seasons. Because of all the history involved with Hamilton – drugs, alcohol, injuries, some immaturity – the longest contract offer he might field is five years.

His production is among the elite but all the other risks that are involved should prevent teams from going long on the years. Then again, no one thought Prince Fielder would get $214 million or Albert Pujols would get 10 years last offseason. It only takes one team to want him enough to break the bank.

Hamilton will cost a team a draft pick since he received a qualifying offer that he will almost certainly turn down by Friday’s deadline. The signing team would lose a pick and the Rangers would gain a pick between the first and second round of the 2013 MLB Draft.

Possible destinations: The Rangers will make an offer, but it might come in low as rumors persist about the team believing they can survive without him. The Baltimore Orioles have the money and see a window to overtake the Yankees atop the American League East, but they want Hamilton’s price to drop before seriously considering him. The Atlanta Braves want to replace the offense lost with Chipper Jones and possibly Michael Bourn. The Brewers have hitting coach Johnny Narron, Hamilton’s former “accountability coach” with the Rangers, but they don’t have the cash, making them a long shot. The Mariners desperately need offense and have some money to spend.

Anibal Sanchez, SP, 29

Sanchez leaps to this point not only because of the lack of other impact starters, but because he had arguably the best season of his career. Late in the season he seemed to get better and his 1.77 postseason ERA over 20 1/3 innings really boosted his stock.

On top of that, Sanchez won’t cost his signing team a first-round draft pick since he was traded to the Detroit Tigers during the season.

Possible destinations: The Tigers want him and could use him. The Blue Jays, again, want starting pitching. The Minnesota Twins have some money to throw at starters and Sanchez could be in their price range. The Dodgers, Angels and Rangers will also be in the mix.

B.J. Upton, CF, 28

There is a major drop off from the top position player, Hamilton, to the next-best guy, Upton. His potential and his age will force teams to hope his production in his next contract matches his hype.

Upton can still be hitting his prime and maybe a new home could help him break out, especially if he’s in a hitter’s park. Age and upside make Upton worth somewhere around $12 million a year, however, he will cost whichever team signs him a draft pick.

Possible destinations: The Philadelphia Phillies are the front runner here since they play on the east coast (Upton is from Virginia) in a hitter-friendly park and employ hitting coach Steve Henderson, who was the Rays’ hitting coach when Upton had his best offensive season in 2007. The Washington Nationals want Bourn but see Upton as a possible backup plan. The San Francisco Giants might not see Angel Pagan worth $10 million a year but they may see Upton worth $12 million. The Rangers are also in the market for an outfielder since it’s likely they will lose Hamilton.

Nick Swisher, OF/1B, 32

Swisher is coming off one of the best offensive seasons of his career, and even though he’ll be 32 next season, he is still in line for one more hearty contract. Like Hamilton and Upton, Swisher will cost a team a draft pick as well if he turns down the Yankees’ qualifying offer by Friday.

Swisher is nowhere near a top-flight outfielder, first baseman or hitter, but he is solid wherever a team might decide to use him. He hit .272/.364/.473 with a .837 OPS and 126 OPS-plus, so a four- or five-year deal is not out of the question.

Possible destinations: The Orioles could have a need for a corner outfielder and/or first base, and Swisher won’t cost as much as some of his alternatives. The Giants could come knocking, but playing Swisher in the outfield every day might be a little too much to swallow. The Mariners could see Swisher as a cheaper option.